File Sharing Glossary

26 file-sharing terms explained in plain English - From share links to end-to-end encryption.

AirDrop: AirDrop is Apple's built-in feature for sending files directly between nearby iPhones, iPads, and Macs. It uses Bluetooth to find devices and Wi-Fi to move the data, so it does not need the internet. It only works between Apple devices, which is why cross-platform tools are used to share with Android or Windows.
Attachment size limit: An attachment size limit is the largest file size a service like email will let you send in one message. Gmail and Outlook usually cap attachments around 20-25 MB, so bigger files get rejected. When a file is too large, people often upload it and send a share link instead.
Bandwidth: Bandwidth is the maximum amount of data a network connection can carry in a set time, usually measured in megabits per second (Mbps). Higher bandwidth means files upload and download faster. When you share a large file, low bandwidth is often why the transfer feels slow.
Bitrate: Bitrate is how much data is used per second of audio or video, often shown in kilobits or megabits per second. A higher bitrate usually means better quality but a larger file size. It affects how big your video is when you share it and how long it takes to send.
Cloud storage: Cloud storage keeps your files on servers you reach over the internet instead of only on your own device. Services like Google Drive and Dropbox let you upload files once and then get to them from any device. Many file-sharing tools use cloud storage to hold a file so others can download it from a link.
Content-Disposition: Content-Disposition is an HTTP header a server sends to tell the browser what to do with a file. When set to "attachment," it makes the browser show a download prompt or save the file instead of opening it in the page. It can also suggest the file name that gets saved.
Download: Downloading is copying a file from the internet or another device onto your own device. When someone opens a share link and saves the file, they are downloading it. The speed depends on your connection and the size of the file.
Encryption in transit (HTTPS/TLS): Encryption in transit scrambles data while it travels between your device and a server so others cannot read it along the way. It is handled by HTTPS and TLS, shown by the padlock icon and "https" in a web address. This protects your file uploads and downloads from being spied on over the network.
End-to-end encryption (E2EE): End-to-end encryption locks a file so that only the sender and the chosen recipient can unlock it. Not even the service moving the file can read the contents, because it never holds the key. This gives stronger privacy than encryption in transit alone when you share sensitive files.
exFAT: exFAT is a file system used to format USB drives and memory cards so both Windows and Mac can read and write to them. Unlike the older FAT32, exFAT supports single files larger than 4 GB. It is a common choice when moving big files between computers by hand.
Expiring link (link expiry): An expiring link is a share link that stops working after a set time or date. Once it expires, anyone who clicks it can no longer reach the file. This limits how long a file stays available and reduces the risk of an old link being shared or found later.
File compression: File compression shrinks a file's size by packing its data more efficiently. Smaller files upload and download faster and take up less space. Some formats keep every detail (lossless), while others drop small details to save more room (lossy).
HEIC: HEIC is an image format Apple uses by default on iPhones to store photos at high quality in a small file. It saves space compared with JPEG but is not supported everywhere. When you share HEIC photos with non-Apple devices, they sometimes need to be converted to JPEG first.
Metadata (EXIF): Metadata is extra information stored inside a file that describes it, such as the date, file type, or camera settings. For photos, this hidden data is called EXIF and can include the location where the picture was taken. Some sharing tools can strip metadata to protect your privacy before you send a file.
MIME / Base64 encoding: MIME is a standard that labels a file's type, like image/jpeg or application/pdf, so software knows how to handle it. Base64 is a way to turn binary file data into plain text so it can travel safely through systems built for text, such as email. Together they help files move correctly across the internet.
One-time link (burn after reading): A one-time link works only once and then destroys itself after the file is opened or downloaded. This is sometimes called "burn after reading" because the content disappears after a single view. It is useful for sending private files you do not want reached a second time.
P2P (peer-to-peer) transfer: Peer-to-peer transfer sends a file straight from one device to another without storing it on a middle server. Because the data does not sit in the cloud, it can be faster and more private for direct sharing. Both devices usually need to be online at the same time for the transfer to work.
Password protection: Password protection requires a person to enter the correct password before they can open or download a shared file. This blocks anyone who finds the link but does not know the password. It adds a layer of security, especially for files with private information.
QR code: A QR code is a square pattern of black and white dots that a phone camera can scan to open a link. Instead of typing a long web address, you point your camera at the code and tap the link that appears. File-sharing tools like ShareIt.onl often show a QR code so someone nearby can grab a share link quickly.
Quick Share: Quick Share is a built-in feature on Android phones and some Windows PCs for sending files directly to nearby devices. It uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to move data without the internet, similar to how AirDrop works on Apple devices. It is handy for fast sharing between people who are close together.
Share link: A share link is a web address that points to a file you have uploaded so others can open or download it. Instead of sending the file itself, you send the link, and anyone with it can reach the file. Tools like ShareIt.onl create a share link after you upload, making it easy to pass a file to someone.
Token (in a URL): A token is a long string of random letters and numbers added to a share link to identify a specific file or session. It is hard to guess, so it acts like a secret key that grants access to just that file. Many sharing links use a token so only people with the exact link can open the file.
Upload: Uploading is copying a file from your device to a server or another device over the internet. When you add a file to a sharing service so others can get it, you are uploading it. How long it takes depends on the file size and your connection's upload speed.
WebShare: WebShare, also called the Web Share API, is a browser feature that lets a website open your device's built-in share menu. With one tap you can send a link or file to apps like messages, email, or nearby-sharing tools. It makes sharing from a web page feel the same as sharing from a regular app.
Wi-Fi Direct: Wi-Fi Direct lets two devices connect to each other over Wi-Fi without a router or internet in between. It can move files faster than Bluetooth because Wi-Fi carries more data. Many nearby file-sharing features use Wi-Fi Direct to send large files between phones.
ZIP archive: A ZIP archive is a single file that bundles many files and folders together, usually with compression to make them smaller. It lets you share a whole group of files as one download instead of sending each one separately. The person who receives it unzips the archive to get the original files back.

Put it into practice

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